Sales of 2009 Silver Eagle Bullion Coins are blistering hot, with an incredible record-breaking pace of 9.67 million sold through April, according to the latest US Mint sales stats.
Total Silver Eagle Bullion Coin Sales, Jan-Apr (2000-2009)
More silver eagles have been sold in February, March and April than any corresponding month since the American Eagle series was launched in 1986. What happened in January 2009? It was a great month for the eagles as well, coming in second place behind the record sales in January 2008.
Monthly Silver Eagle Bullion Coin Sales, Jan-Apr (2000-2009)*
2008 proved to be an exceptional year for the series, with historic sales at 19,583,500. At the current 2009 rate, nearly half of that amount will be sold in just four months. There is a potential to shatter last year’s record.
With the bullion coins continuing to sell like hot cakes, a question comes to mind as to whether the 2009 collector versions will ever get minted. In early March, the Mint suspended 2009-W American Eagle Silver coins, saying in part:
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins.
Currently, all available silver bullion blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-61 to produce these coins "in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . ."
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of silver bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Silver Coin products.
Since the statement, flash forward nearly two months to today. Based on silver coin bullion sales, the Mint appears to be facing a steeper hill and more difficult climb. Will it be able to build an inventory of silver blanks for the collector silver eagles?
The following two tables show sales by month and totals from 2000-2009:
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |
| January | 1,011,500 | 779,500 | 913,500 | 1,725,000 | 1,392,500 |
| February | 808,500 | 846,500 | 905,000 | 1,055,000 | 1,281,000 |
| March | 851,500 | 786,000 | 797,000 | 876,000 | 348,000 |
| April | 804,500 | 562,000 | 815,000 | 434,000 | 680,000 |
| January – April |
3,476,000 | 2,974,000 | 3,430,500 | 4,090,000 | 3,701,500 |
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| January | 1,095,000 | 1,115,000 | 1,070,000 | 2,170,000 | 1,900,000 |
| February | 500,000 | 993,000 | 500,000 | 200,000 | 2,125,000 |
| March | 650,000 | 1,072,000 | 762,000 | 1,855,000 | 3,132,000 |
| April | 480,000 | 1,395,000 | 280,000 | 1,584,000 | 2,518,000 |
| January – April |
2,725,000 | 4,575,000 | 2,612,000 | 5,809,000 | 9,675,000 |
[Editor’s update: 2009 US Mint sales figures were updated to include totals to the end of April. Original article posting included tallies up to April 27.]
